Motor Vehicle Benefits

Motor Vehicle Registration Exemption for Disabled Veterans

Disabled veterans who by reason of service in the U.S. armed forces have suffered the loss of, or permanent loss of, the use of one or both hands or feet, or who have permanent impairment of vision in both eyes, or any other disability or handicap of such veterans that may be determined by the medical advisory board of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, are eligible to receive, free of charge, disabled veterans motor vehicle registration plates and are exempt from the biannual registration renewal fee.

Motor Vehicle Registration Exemption for Ex-prisoners of War

All Veterans of any war or military action who, in the course of duty, have been captured and incarcerated by an enemy of the U.S. during an armed conflict are eligible to receive, free of charge, ex-prisoner of war motor vehicle registration plates and are exempt from the biannual registration renewal fee, and their surviving spouses may elect to retain the plates until they remarry, or fail to renew or cancel such registration.

Motor Vehicle Registration for Veteran Series License Plates

Veteran Plate

Any war veteran - as defined by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 4, Section 7, Clause 43 - is eligible for this plate. With the exception noted below, a fee will be charged. Proceeds will benefit the Soldiers Homes in Chelsea and Holyoke.

Legion of Valor Plates

1 Legion of Valor license plate may be issued (without charge) to those veterans who provide satisfactory evidence of membership in the Legion of Valor of the United States of America, Inc.

Ex-Prisoner of War

1 Ex-Prisoner of War license plate may be issued (without charge) to former prisoners of war, defined as any regularly appointed, enrolled, enlisted, or inducted member of the military forces of the United States who was captured and incarcerated by an enemy of the United States during armed conflict. Presentation of satisfactory evidence of such prisoner of war status is required.

Purple Heart Plate

1 Purple Heart License Plate may be issued (without charge) to those veterans who have been awarded the "Purple Heart" medal.

Pearl Harbor Survivor Plate

All military personnel on active duty at pearly harbor on December 7, 1941, as verified by the Department of Defense, are eligible for this plate. There is no charge for this license plate.

Silver Star & Bronze Star Plate

1 Silver Star or Bronze Star license plate may be issued (without charge) to those veterans who have been awarded the Silver Star or Bronze Star medal.

Distinctive Military Emblems

A veteran who has been issued a "Veteran" Plate will be furnished (upon request) with a distinctive emblem that identifies the branch of the armed forces in which the owner served, or the wartime service in which such owner served. A fee may be charged to the cover the costs of issuance of such emblem.

There is no preferential treatment implied in the issuance of the veteran series plates as there is for disabled veterans plate. There is an additional cost for the veteran series plates, and they cannot be used for a vehicle requiring a commercial registration under Massachusetts Law.

Motor Vehicle Excise Exemption for Disabled Veterans & Ex-prisoners

Disabled veterans of World War I, World War II, Korean, or Vietnam, who by reason of service in the U.S. armed forces have suffered the loss of, or permanent loss of and use of, one or both feet or one or both hands, or the loss of sight in one eye, or have permanent impairment of vision of both eyes and are certified by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs are eligible for motor vehicle excise exemption (applicable only to one motor vehicle owned and registered for personal non commercial use).

Sales Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans

Disabled veterans who by reason of service in the U.S. armed forces have suffered the loss of, or permanent loss of and use of both legs or both arms, or 1 leg and 1 arm, are eligible for a motor vehicle sales tax exemption (applicable to only 1 motor vehicle owned and registered for personal non-commercial use)